Modular power supplies cover medium-range use

San Diego - Taking modular power supplies to the next level, Lambda has introduced a series of high-density 450- and 650-watt units as well as a 1,500-W system that can provide up to 20 configurable outputs.

The company's Vega Series of switch-mode supplies, initially offered in two models of 450 and 650 W, utilizes off-the-shelf modules and converters that can be quickly assembled to meet custom multiple-output specifications. It thus eliminates the need for high-cost custom power supplies with long lead times.

The high-density designs, which boast a power density of 5.8 W per cubic inch (for system air package), increase reliability by reducing the overall component count and through use of a single pc-board design in both the front-end converter and output stages. This reduces the modules' assembly time by up to 70 percent over conventional modular products. The company can meet turnaround times of two weeks for evaluation units and six weeks for production volumes.

The parts enables support of such applications as computer peripherals and automated test systems and industrial equipment, that use 1.8, 3.3, 5, 12 and 24-V multiple output combinations.

The supplies provide a seamless output range from 1.8 to 31 V, with higher voltages secured by connecting supplies in series. Options include fast on-tab/screw input or output connectors and IEC input connectors. Multiple cooling options include mains fail, global inhibit, output good and output inhibit. The 450- and 650-W packages provide a maximum of 10 outputs, with no minimum load requirements and offer overvoltage and overcurrent protection as standard features.

Lambda also introduced its high-power 1,500-watt UltraFlex unit, which provides up to 20 configurable outputs. A single UltraFlex can provide all the system voltages and currents normally delivered by multiple single-output supplies. As with the Vega Series, the modular design offers flexibility in output configurations with no additional nonrecurring engineering charges. The Ultraflex unit is suitable for semiconductor fabrication systems, automated test equipment and factory automation equipment.

In a 5 x 5 x 11-inch case, the UltraFlex delivers from 1.8 to 52.8 V with no minimum load requirement on single-output modules. The UltraFlex incorporates an active-current-sharing feature, providing balanced outputs between two or more similar output modules connected in parallel.

Other features include over-voltage, overload and over-temperature protection as well as a plus/minus 10 percent voltage adjust capability on all outputs. It features a standard array of converter and output module signals: global output inhibit, global output good, fan fail and thermal alarm. A total of 10 output module signals is standard. These include current share, current monitor, module inhibit, remote adjust and module output good.

Both the Vega and Ultraflex comply with EN61000-3-2 power-factor-correction standards, IEC100-4 input transient immunity standards and meet electromagnetic interference level B conducted, and level A radiated standards. Both series also have the CE mark, UL1950, CSA-234 and EN60950 worldwide safety agency approvals. Pricing for both the Vega and UltraFlex averages 80 cents per watt when purchased in OEM quantities. Typical production time for the UltraFlex is eight weeks.